Weathering the storm: 9 necessary tips for using a chainsaw to clear debris

If you’re using a chainsaw for storm clean-up, these tips will help you stay safe.

(BPT)

August 4, 2015 - 3:14 am

Weathering the storm: 9 necessary tips for using a chainsaw to clear debris

(BPT) – It’s storm season, and as soon as a tornado or hurricane strikes, clean-up begins.

Often, storm clean-up requires participation from volunteers who supplement the work of experts in removing miles of debris. Many are weekend warriors who have never tackled such an immense task — and may never have used a chainsaw in such rigorous circumstances.

Those brave volunteers need some guidance on how to prepare for, use and maintain a chainsaw during intense storm clean-up efforts.

Jared Abrojena, an Antioch, California-based certified treeworker and certified arborist, addresses the topic in layman’s terms. The 2015 ISA Tree Climbing World Champion, Abrojena is an expert on how to trim and fell trees. He often shares insights from his own experience working with a team of arborists to clean hundreds of fallen trees on the grounds of the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, just weeks before the 2013 Masters.

Abrojena’s nine necessary tips — if followed — ensures that the work of brave storm clean-up volunteers is safe and effective. They are:

* Safety first. Take some time to train before getting started. Be sure to read through the owner’s manual for the chainsaw you’ll be using.

* Be prepared. This is a catch-all of tips regarding regular chainsaw maintenance and the possession of personal protective equipment (PPE).

* Map it out. Assess the full scope of damage, and creating a plan for how to tackle it. The plan should include coordinating with other volunteers, divvying up the work and prioritizing

* Know your limitations. Don’t volunteer for a job you’re unprepared for. There will be plenty of work to go around, so only tackle tasks that you are comfortable handling.

* Buddy up. No one should trim trees by themselves, given the risk of error or injury. Pair up with another volunteer, but stay a safe distance apart when operating saws.

* A good start. A chainsaw is best started on the ground, with the chain brake engaged. Don’t “cut” corners during intense, fast-paced clean-up efforts.

* The right cut. To achieve the right cut, use careful pruning practices to relieve tension from a branch or tree limb.

* Take it easy. You aren’t Superman, and most mistakes occur when you’re tired. Take frequent rests and stay hydrated.